A new housing development in Davis could take a major step forward Tuesday night.

The proposed Nishi Gateway project would turn an empty field along Interstate 80 near Richards Boulevard into 45 acres of housing and a UC Davis-related research park.

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The Davis City Council will decide Tuesday whether to let residents vote on the Nishi Gateway project, a proposal that has been in the works for 8 years.

Some residents are concerned about the added traffic that the project would bring to Davis.

But supporters of the Nishi Gateway project said the location is perfect because it provides easy access to downtown restaurants and the UC Davis campus and will add some needed housing for college students.

"The city of Davis has been grappling with the student housing crisis for a long time," said Daviel Parrella, a supporter of the Nishi Gateway campaign. "Estimates have said we have less than a 1 percent vacancy rate in the city of Davis. The Nishi Gateway project would provide about 1,500 beds for students within biking distance to the university, and I think that is pretty cool."

"I don't actually want Davis to be any bigger, but the college is getting bigger," said resident Joe Naab. "So you kind of have to keep growing to keep up with these college students."

The housing development is projected to generate $1.4 million a year for the city of Davis general fund.

If the Davis City Council approves the project on Tuesday, voters will decide its fate in June.